Find out how popular the last name Goudreau is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Goudreau.

Goudreau, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Goudreau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Goudreau in America

Goudreau is the 19282nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Goudreau surname appeared 1,405 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Goudreau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Goudreau to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Goudreau

The surname Goudreau originated in France, specifically in the region of Normandy during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "goudron," meaning "tar." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who worked with tar, such as a shipbuilder or roofer.

The earliest known recording of the name Goudreau can be found in the Domesday Book, a renowned manuscript commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. It contains a list of landowners and their properties, including a certain Radulfus Goudrou in the county of Somerset, England.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Goudron, Gouderon, and Goudreaux, reflecting the evolution of spelling and pronunciation over time. One notable individual from this era was Jean Goudreaux, a merchant from Rouen who traded in tar and other naval supplies.

During the 16th century, the Goudreau family established itself in the region of Brittany, where they owned lands and estates. A prominent figure from this time was Pierre Goudreau (1542-1612), a successful shipbuilder and navigator who participated in several expeditions to the New World.

In the 17th century, the name Goudreau spread across France as members of the family migrated to different regions. One such individual was Jacques Goudreau (1638-1701), who settled in Quebec, Canada, and became one of the first French colonists in the area.

Throughout the centuries, the Goudreau name has been associated with various occupations and professions, including shipbuilding, roofing, and naval trades. Some notable figures with this surname include:

1. Henri Goudreau (1789-1856), a French naval officer and explorer who mapped parts of the Pacific Ocean.
2. Émilie Goudreau (1820-1892), a renowned French painter known for her portraits and landscapes.
3. Georges Goudreau (1875-1941), a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Quebec National Assembly.
4. Lucien Goudreau (1901-1978), a French-Canadian writer and poet whose works explored themes of nature and rural life.
5. Suzanne Goudreau (1944-present), a Canadian artist and sculptor recognized for her innovative use of materials and exploration of environmental themes.

The Goudreau surname has a rich history dating back to medieval France, with connections to various trades, professions, and notable individuals who have shaped the cultural and historical landscape of their respective eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Goudreau

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Goudreau.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Goudreau was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Goudreau has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Goudreau was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Goudreau, please contact us.

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